Title: Reasons not to be discouraged
Contents
The life of the Apostle Paul for the gospel was not easy. After meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus, I suffered a lot for the witness of the gospel. Many times, he was on the verge of death, and he was naked and starved. They were beaten, imprisoned, and suffered from disease while being misunderstood and despised. Also, the results of missions were not always satisfactory. At some point, jealousy appeared and formed a faction, and the false teachers continued to attack. In a word, the life of the Apostle Paul was a series of hardships. But he says It means ‘don’t be discouraged’. Why? As we observe the last Sunday of 2009, what is the reason why the saints are not discouraged?
1. Because our insides are new every day.
We do not become discouraged when we are renewed. Paul describes the saints as having treasures in earthen vessels (verse 7). Our outward appearances are insignificant. But it has an inestimable value. Everyone wears out as time goes by. Even now we are getting old. So take a breath and be discouraged. Whether you like it or not, all life cannot stand up to the passing of time. But the saints should not be discouraged. Because our insides are being renewed day by day. What is new? It is the power of life. Rather, it is growing. It is not dying with the symptoms of death before death, but being renewed as a new creature. The power of life in Christ renews us. Because the law of the Holy Spirit has set us free from the law of sin and death. It is not a temporary novelty obtained by decorating the exterior. Because the newness of eternal life is in the Christian, we do not become discouraged even when the outside is worn out.
2. Because our tribulation achieves eternal glory.
Sometimes we think we're the only ones suffering. I consider this pain the biggest and most difficult problem that no one seems to know about. So I pray to God, why don't I ever complain about why He is giving me such a trial? And in some cases, we are so deeply engrossed in our current problem that we conclude that it is no longer possible. Why? Because they do not know the eternal glory that tribulation will bring. This is because we have not experienced and do not know how great and wonderful the glory we will dare to receive. The value of the glory of God is eternal glory. The real question for us is not whether the tribulation is great or small, but do I know the eternal glory? Don't you know? Do you go one step further and believe in that glory? It is a question of whether you believe it or not. The Bible promises. It says that our light affliction, which is for a little while, works for us an exceedingly great and eternal weight of glory.
3. Because our looking back is invisible.
People love to watch. And try to believe what you see. What the Jews asked of Jesus was that if you were the Son of God, show him a sign. Even though the Son of God is in front of them, they do not see it. Because humans are accustomed to seeing and experiencing their point of view. The Bible compares the visible and the invisible in this world. What you see is temporary. But the invisible is eternal. Temporary things are visible and eternal things are invisible. He who lives for what he sees lives for a brief life. There is no satisfaction in it. It is foolish to give up the eternal for the temporary. A moment may give it a sweet taste. But if it's not eternal, you shouldn't look back. Because our looking back is the invisible.
2009 is a special year. God has established our church and has guided us on the good path so far. The saints have no reason to be discouraged. I bless you in the name of the Lord that you may move forward vigorously while longing for the mission and grace God has given you.